FIFA given ideal 'solution' to controversial World Cup rule called out by Gabriel Gudmundsson

Keith Hackett has come up with a solution to a new rule at the World Cup that left Leeds United and Sweden defender Gabriel Gudmundsson annoyed.

FIFA rolled out a number of new laws prior to the tournament getting under way in the United States, Canada and Mexico two weeks ago.

The highest-profile change is the introduction of 'hydration breaks' midway through both halves.

There is also the new law that saw Miguel Almiron given a red card for covering his mouth when speaking to an opponent in a confrontational manner.

Corner-kicks can also be overturned, as can second yellow cards if wrongly awarded.

There is a lesser-spotted law, though, that Gudmundsson and his Sweden team-mates fell foul of against Japan.

Gabriel Gudmundsson confused by law - and rightly so

One of the other laws introduced is that a player must leave the field of play for one minute after the game resumes.

This is a sound law on the face of it, as it means there is far less playacting.

Far too often in recent seasons - and this has directly impacted Leeds - players have gone down to simply disrupt the momentum of the game.

Players usually use these stoppages as a chance to take on fluid and, occasionally, instructions from their manager.

That can no longer happen, as Gudmundsson found out when referee Ivan Barton stopped the defender and his teammates for having a drink when a player was down injured.

"I actually didn't understand anything," Gudmundsson said of the bizarre World Cup incident.

"Our player is down and it's clear that you can go and fill up a little. I actually didn't understand what they were doing there."

There are two sides to this debate. Sure, it is a good thing that playacting is cut out, but denying players the chance to drink some fluids when the opportunity does present itself is rather strange.

However, there may be a solution.

Keith Hackett would like to see golf buggies introduced

Former FIFA referee Hackett believes that one such compromise can be made that would allow players to drink, but not take on instructions from managers.

"I guess that the reason behind this decision by FIFA is to stop teams from taking advantage of going down feigning injury in order to disguise the halt in play as a tactical break and to stop the flow of the game," he exclusively told MOT Leeds News.

"The two arranged water breaks in operation at this World Cup have not been welcomed in a positive manner by fans, given that they there is clear evidence that these have an Impact on the flow of the game.

"I do, however, believe that more freedom should be given to match officials to manage these situations.

"One solution is a golf trolley that, at the formal stoppages, could be driven into the centre circle and players take refreshments onboard. No tactical exchanges with coaches and managers would be allowed."

That seems a sound idea, and certainly would not make a mockery of FIFA wanting to put the health of players first.